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ATLANTA – General manager Ruben Amaro uttered words but offered no hints about any possible doings Saturday with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline looming and several Phillies likely among the desired.

"I'm not going to go through a trade deadline discussion every day," Amaro said at Turner Field, where the Phillies were playing the Braves.

"The only thing I can tell you is we're going to try to do what we can to improve our club. That's my standard answer. I'll probably end up saying it 30,000 times. That's it. That's all I've got."

Numerous Phillies, led by stopper Jonathan Papelbon and starting pitcher Cliff Lee, are viewed as trade candidates. With the team 12 games under .500 entering Saturday and well off the pace in the National League East, tweaks are likely and a major overhaul even possible, provided the Phillies can get the right return.

"We'll try our hardest," Amaro said about seeking improvements. "That's our job, whether it's July 31, August 15 or September 30 or November 15.''

Gonzalez shines at Reading

Recent Cuban defector Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez has a 1.00 ERA and four saves in seven relief appearances for Double-A Reading, where he has struck out 15 in nine innings.

The first-year pro, who was signed to a four-year $60 million contract by the Phillies, had earlier been troubled by shoulder inflammation.

"He's throwing good," Amaro said. "He comes out of the pen, it's something kind of new for him. The last time he came out he walked somebody and they got a base hit then he struck out three guys. He got real aggressive. He's just learning what it's like to get out of the pen and be sharp right out of the chute. He's thrown well."

The Phillies still view Gonzalez, 27, as a potential starter should he regain the strength and stamina that waned during a period of inactivity.

"We're going to try to get him as many innings as we possibly can now as a reliever," Amaro said. "But, at some point in the offseason, we'll probably try to stretch him out again. If he can't do it, then we'll leave him as a reliever."

Asche shows promise

Third baseman Cody Asche entered Saturday's game carrying a 10-game hitting streak (12-for-40/.300) and demonstrating that, when it comes to the Phillies' immediate future, the forecast isn't completely dark and gloomy.

His play has periodically been a bright spot since he came off the disabled list with a left hamstring strain June 19 and after a slow early-season start that created skepticism.

The former Nebraska Cornhusker played 50 games as a rookie last year after being summoned from Triple A, batting .235/.302/.389.

He is at .255/.308/.407 this year, and has six doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs in 24 games since coming off the DL.

"Seems to be nice and aggressive right from the get-go at home plate, looking for a pitch to hit," Phillies manager Ryne Sanderg said. "Going up there to do something with the pitch. Good situational at-bat [Friday] night, doing the right job of driving the ball to right field in that situation. For him to stay consistent it's using the whole field and staying with a left-center stroke when needed and reacting inside to the pull side. Sometimes he tends to get a little pull happy."

Asche also has some versatility, having also played second base in the minors. But his play at third base has been steady, Sandberg said.

"He has been playing well," Amaro said. "I think he's gaining some confidence and I think it's really about experience. The young kids have to get a chance to play. He's getting that chance. He was really hot when he got hurt, which was unfortunate, but I think he's getting back into it. He's still working on stuff defensively and still trying to instill confidence, but he's been contributing, taking more aggressive swings and making pretty good contact. I like what I see out of Cody so far."

Galvis on comeback trail

Infielder Freddy Galvis, whose early-season offensive struggles led to a demotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, suffered another setback when he fractured his left clavicle three days later. That was May 11.

Now Galvis is back with the IronPigs after a couple rehab stops.

The 24-year-old Venezuelan's troubles began in spring training when he was sidelined with a MRSA virus, then continued when he batted .048 (2-for-42) after his April return. But the Phillies value his defensive wizardry and versatility and he provided some timely hits while batting .226 in 2012 and .234 in 2013, years in which he had 422 plate appearances.

Extra innings

Jason Marquis, owner of a 0.50 ERA in three starts at Lehigh Valley covering 18 innings, is expected to pitch for the IronPigs today for the first time since July 8 after having some back trouble, Amaro said. Marquis is a winner of 121 games in 14 big-league seasons and is an option if the Phillies need a starter. ... Back-up catcher Juan Nieves, out since June 19 with a quadriceps strain, could be activated Monday, Amaro said. ... Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, now an assistant to the GM, has been working with highly regarded Maikel Franco at Lehigh Valley, where the third baseman is batting just .228 on the season despite recent improvements.